Children line up to greet Easter bunny in Goffstown

GOFFSTOWN - Though it still felt like winter outside, Easter was the spring-like theme for the hundreds who gathered Saturday for the Easter Bunny Breakfast at Bartlett Elementary School.

The event, sponsored by Goffstown Primary Care and the Bartlett Elementary School PTO, has been a tradition in Goffstown for more than 20 years, and many who attended make it a point to mark the event annually on their calendars.

"We come every year," said Kristi Petri, who brought her children, Rylen and Delaney. "It's a lot of fun, we love it."

Maureen Sage, a Bartlett parent and a nurse at Goffstown Primary Care, said the breakfast is a good way to introduce the practice to parents and make it more visible in the community.

"It's a good way to bring everyone together," she said.

It was the first visit to Bartlett for some parents.

Michelle Levesque brought her 2-year-old son Blake to see the Easter bunny, and was hoping for a positive experience.

"Last year it didn't go so well," she said with a laugh.

While photos with the Easter Bunny were a big drawing card, children also enjoyed face-painting, a cake walk, crafts sponsored by the Goffstown Public Library, and they braved the wind, cold and even a few stray snowflakes during an Easter Egg Hunt on the snow-covered playground.

Gloria Proulx, organizer of the event, said she was pleased with the turnout.

"It's nice and steady," she said. "Sometimes, it gets too crowded."

Volunteer Kris Bechard said the event is good, family fun.

"It's a nice family day out that doesn't cost a lot of money," she said. "I think people really like coming for a decently priced breakfast, and all of the activities."